The Cumbum Valley in Tamil Nadu, renowned as the ‘Grapes City of South India,’ has recently received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its locally grown Panneer Thratchai, also known as Cumbum grapes or Muscat Hamburg. Known for their quick growth and early maturation, these grapes have been a part of the region’s agricultural heritage since their introduction by a French priest in 1832. The GI tag is a signifier that a product holds a unique quality or reputation due to its geographic origin, established under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
GI Tag for Cumbum Grapes
Cumbum grapes are rich in vitamins, tartaric acid, and antioxidants, which aid in reducing the risk of chronic diseases. The superior taste and purplish-brown color of these grapes also distinguish them from other varieties. The recognition of this variety with the GI tag will help to protect the authenticity and quality of these grapes, ensuring that consumers can trust the origin and quality of the product they are purchasing.
Quality Control Orders
In other recent developments, the Ministry of Textiles introduced two Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for 31 items, including geo-textiles and protective textiles. These orders mark a significant advancement in the technical regulation of textiles in India. The QCOs aim to uphold the standard and quality of technical textiles and stimulate the growth of this industry in India by encouraging the production of competitively priced, high-quality products. They are equally applicable to both domestic and foreign manufacturers looking to export their products to India.
Graphene’s Anomalous Giant Magnetoresistance
UK researchers have recently discovered another property of graphene – the amazing material demonstrates anomalous giant magnetoresistance (GMR) at room temperature. GMR is a phenomenon where electrical resistance of a conductor is affected by adjacent magnetic fields, with applications in various tech devices. The discovery indicates that graphene-based devices could sense magnetic fields without needing to be super-cooled, as is the case with their conventional ferromagnetic counterparts. This could open new avenues for technology and medicine, thanks to graphene’s unique properties including high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, flexibility, transparency and strength.
Indelible Ink and its Role in Elections
As Karnataka gears up for assembly elections, Mysore Paints & Varnish Ltd., the sole authorized manufacturer of indelible ink used in general elections in India, has been making news. Established by Maharaja of Mysore Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar in 1937, the company has been producing the ‘voter’s ink’ since 1962. Indelible ink plays a crucial role in the election process by preventing fraudulent and multiple voting. Since its inception, the company has consistently supplied ink for elections across India and even exported it abroad, contributing significantly to preserving the integrity of the democratic process.
